gregsfortytwo

They started pushing users to redeem points for Amazon purchases several years ago, but it is and always has been available as straight cash back via statement credit ($20 minimum) or checking account (no idea the rules here, because why bother?).

tarheel_95

I applied and was approved. I am >> 5/24

meraki

It really is too bad it's not connected to UR like Freedom & Freedom Unlimited. Too bad the 2% back doesn't include groceries

Duke5150

The Amazon merchant STORE card (not this card) at 5% cash back as statement credit is a wonderful card, not just for the 5% immediate statement credit, BUT FOR THE GREAT ITEM LEVEL LISTING ON THE SyncBank ONLINE AND MONTHLY STATEMENTS. SyncBank shows each ITEM purchased as a charge so it is very easy to track and reconcile. This card should be given an AWARD for listing each item and amount purchased as an individual charge.

Need

I wonder if Express Script counts as drugstore...

jeanie

My account was converted to a 5% Prime account when my last statement closed on the 9th. I had over $100 in rewards when the account converted. When I logged into the Chase online account, my rewards balance was no longer visible. There were no options to redeem the rewards on the Chase site, either.

But when I logged onto my Amazon account, the cash balance was visible, and there was an option redeem the award as a credit at Amazon.com. I prefer not to use the points towards an Amazon.com purchase. In my mind, if I use a $100 credit on Amazon.com, then I don't get the 5% cash back on that purchase. That would add up over time.

So I called Chase. Over the phone, they processed a request to credit my checking account for the full balance. I just got the e-mail conformation from Chase regarding the points redemption from the Amazon card.

Even if I have to call periodically to get them to issue the transfer to my checking account, I hope that Chase keeps that as an option.

Thanks.

Duke787

Saw this in the fine print:

Any idea what the travel / gift cards referenced here are? I don't / have never had an Amazon card so am not familiar with their points program in any way (so if there is an obvious answer my apologies).

FYI, T&Cs quoted above also indicate that once you are at 2000 points (aka $20 of rebate aka $400 of Amazon spend since 1% = 100 points) you can cash out the rebate to your bank or as an account statement credit.

jeanie

The phone agent I spoke with specifically said that the account statement credit was no longer an option. However, they transferred me around because not all of the agents could view the awards balance in my Amazon account. All of the agents I spoke with sounded like they were in India.

Hopefully, the fact that multiple agents and I couldn't see the rewards balance is just the result of a glitch of some sort that will be fixed soon. It is encouraging that the fine print says other types of award redemption are still available other than just the Amazon credit.

Duke787

Hmmm seems like uninformed agents - I just double checked the T&Cs again on the offer and they are same as I posted above and include this bit that is relevant:

Hopefully they'll sort it out - seems odd they would include the above in T&Cs if they intended to remove statement credit redemptions.

maxim730

This is good ...

gregsfortytwo

I just logged in to the site, and after clicking to "See balance" for my rewards points, and then "Redeem Rewards", one of the options on the rewards sub-site is a statement credit (alongside an ACH deposit). It's been a while since I used this card enough to redeem rewards on it so I didn't go through the whole process, but I think that's the way it's always been.

kdm31091

Amazon wouldn't want it to include groceries because they want you to "grocery shop" with them. Hence why the 2% categories are things that don't really threaten Amazon: dining, gas, drugstores. Even office supply stores, which had been a 2% category for a long time (little advertised), are going down to 1% after May 31.

mia

The categories predate Amazon's entry into the grocery delivery business. They also sell many things that are otherwise purchased at drugstores. (I think the office supply category was inherited from the discontinued business version of the original card. Anyone still have one of those?)

This looks like a typical Chase me too refresh to match Synchrony Bank's offer, plus generally updating the card to include fashionable features. Chase wants the card to be just attractive enough to earn a place in some wallets, but not to be heavily used for bonus category spending because they probably cannot buy Amazon "points" at a discount as they can airline and hotel rewards.

UVU Wolverine

I had no idea you could redeem your Amazon points for an ACH deposit! I was happy with the 3% at Amazon alone as I do a lot of shopping with them. My account shows 5% back now which made me even more happy, and now I've found this thread! I really hope this option doesn't go away.

My Citi 2% back card and this Amazon card have been my go to for everyday purchases (I use the Amazon card A LOT due to where I live I.E. nearest Walmart and even McDonalds are an hour away). With my first child on the way, cash back has become far more lucrative compared to airline or hotel points.

cardtracker

The downside to this card is that transactions are not available for download to Quicken until the close of a statement cycle plus it can't be used used outside of Amazon. Would not be surprised to see this card go away in the future.